Jillian Morris – The National Wildlife Federation Bloghttp://blog.nwf.org
The National Wildlife Federation's blogThu, 17 Aug 2017 19:08:14 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8Education: Key Strategy for Shark Species Successhttp://blog.nwf.org/2017/05/education-key-strategy-for-shark-species/
http://blog.nwf.org/2017/05/education-key-strategy-for-shark-species/#respondFri, 19 May 2017 10:00:36 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=127915A study done by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, published in early 2014, found that 25% of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction according to IUCN ( International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List criteria. Life history traits including late maturation, slow growth and few offspring, make sharks and rays particularly vulnerable to overfishing. In order to avoid extinctions, regulations in management and trade must occur.

Many of the species facing the greatest threats are not the most well known or charismatic, so our Sharks4Kids programs are aiming to provide more information about and focus on these particular animals. Most kids know great whites, tiger sharks and manta rays, but have never heard of a sawfish, chimaera or angel shark. The challenge is getting them just as excited about the more rare and lesser known species, which in many cases require a greater need for regulations and protections. These are not the species they see on Shark Week, nor have them gained celebrity status on social media, but it is critical for the world to learn about them. Knowledge is a key component in getting better laws and regulations put in place and it is very difficult to care about an animal if you don’t know it exists.

In learning about the more obscure species, students are also learning overall about the incredible diversity among sharks and rays.

Credit: Jillian Morris

One of our main focuses this year has been expanding our program to landlocked states and helping students and teachers understand our connection to the ocean, no matter where we live. We’ve been speaking to a lot of students in Kansas, Tennessee and are doing in person visits in Arkansas. Our lives are intertwined with the ocean every single day, so our actions have an impact. We always encourage students to learn about sharks and share shark facts. Driving home the understanding that these creatures are not man-eating monsters. Once we replace fear with facts, we can move forward and empower and encourage them to speak up. Students can use less plastic, organize a cleanup, read a shark book to younger kids or make a shark poster to share facts at school. Our focus is sharks, but the bigger picture is that we need to be global citizens striving to make our impact a positive one for the planet.

One of our proudest achievements regarding endangered species is the amount of awareness we’ve been able to spread regarding the threats sharks and rays are facing. Most people have heard of shark finning, but do not realize shark liver oil is used in cosmetics, vitamins and dog treats, all which can be purchased in the US. They do not realize the other names shark can be served as ( whitefish) or the issues of bycatch. These are all important aspects in better management and protection of endangered species. I know we are getting the message out there when I see stories like the 9 year old in Oklahoma doing a presentation on sharks for her class. I see hope in the next generation.

Education is crucial in the fight to save sharks and save our oceans.

Credit: Jillian Morris

If we are not aware of something, it is almost impossible to care about it, let alone take action to protect it. It’s remarkable to see how quickly a few factsand some beautiful images can change the way people perceive an animal. To see a shark swimming gracefully, instead of with jaws agape, catalyzes adifference response in most people and opens their mind to thinking differently. Unfortunately for sharks, the monster stigma is still heavily embedded in our society and has been for decades, so we are fighting against something with a very strong grip. Highlighting the incredible adaptations, diversity of species and true beauty of these animals is a critical component in the education process. At the heart of it is helping students understand sharks are more than just their teeth; they are smart, social and certainly not man-eaters.

Programs providing facts and education, allow for knowledge to spread from students to their teachers, families and friends, so we are actually reaching adults as well. This has the potential to create a ripple effect where parents now might think differently about the products they buy, use less plastic or even plan a trip to see sharks.

Credit: Jillian Morris

Overall, education allows us to show the reality of these fascinating creatures, highlight the threats they face and enlist the next generation of shark advocates to be their voice and make a difference.

Eco-Schools USA is a K-12 program of the National Wildlife Federation focused on student-driven sustainability through leadership, STEM, action and community. Learn more and take action for wildlife species and the place they live.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2017/05/education-key-strategy-for-shark-species/feed/0Biodiversity, Sharks and Healthy Oceanshttp://blog.nwf.org/2017/03/biodiversity-sharks-and-healthy-oceans/
http://blog.nwf.org/2017/03/biodiversity-sharks-and-healthy-oceans/#respondFri, 31 Mar 2017 13:30:05 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=126373April is Earth month – a time to reflect on our relationship with the planet and take a deeper dive into how Earth’s systems are handling rapid change. Eco-Schools USA is proud to share the work of our friends at Sharks4Kids.

Get Motivated – Be Inspired – Take Action!

Biodiversity is critical for healthy oceans. Scientists have found a decline in ocean biodiversity has consequences on the stability of functioning ecosystems. This system is delicately balanced and when a component or multiple components are affected, the entire system and its interconnected parts feel the impact.

Jillian teaching students in the Bahamas about the role sharks play in the food web/chain Credit: Duncan Brake

Sharks are not always apex predators, but no matter where in the food chain they exist, they play a critical and necessary role in its balance. They help maintain healthy and sustainable populations of the animals they consume. They also eat injured, sick, dying or dead animals, which keeps the oceans clean and keeps disease from spreading.

High school sophmore, Lauren H. helps students understand the important role sharks play in the ocean ecosystem. Credit: Jennifer Hammonds

Healthy oceans need sharks, but the majority of the world’s population is afraid of these incredible animals. Replacing fear with facts and fascination is necessary in the fight to save sharks and save our oceans. Globally, 100 million sharks are killed each year (conservative estimate with the potential of 273 million being the actual number), targeted for their fins, meat and oil.

Sharks4Kids goal is to help students understand there is so much more to sharks than just their teeth – sharks are important to all of us. We are all connected and our actions impact others around the world. Sylvia Earle’s profound statement is something we strive to teach,

“With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live.”

If something is not directly in our life each day, it’s easy to avoid it, but we can no longer avoid the issues facing our oceans.

Through education and outreach Sharks4Kids provide facts and exciting interactive tools for students to learn about sharks and how remarkable these creatures really are. We want students to get excited and realize sharks are not monsters of the sea and some even have belly buttons and buddies. Our team has worked with sharks in a wide range of capacities all over the globe, and by sharing our experiences, we are helping people of all ages change their perception.

We genuinely believe kids have a voice and can make a difference, so we are working to empower them with the tools to speak up and make a change. Simple actions like sharing facts, making a poster or using less plastic, can all help sharks. We also offer programs where students get to see real sharks and participate in research, which helps us create another connection to the ocean.

Ocean and shark conservation is a real issue that whether we realize it or not, is our problem, no matter who we are or where we live. So if it’s our problem, we can all be part of the solution. Organizations like ours providing real life examples and opportunities for kids to get involved and to be part of making a change. This is not just learning from a textbook, this is real life, real actions and really making a difference.

Students in the Bahamas learning about sharks and rays up close Credit: Jillian Morris

“Some of my favorite moments are when students share their desire to help sharks, especially students who thought sharks were killing machine and served no role in our oceans. Seeing that change and that passion is what inspires me to keep fighting for these animals everyday. These students give me hope for sharks, hope for the oceans and hope for all of us.”

About the AuthorJillian Morris is a marine biologist, shark advocate, scuba instructor, explorer and educator. She is the executive director of Oceanicallstars conservation media group and the creator of Sharks4Kids.

Eco-Schools USA is a K-12 program of the National Wildlife Federation focused on student-driven sustainability through leadership, STEM, action and community. To learn more and take action on biodiversity, visit our Pathways to Sustainability.